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Following a rare week off before the start of a busy summer schedule, the UFC returned on Saturday night (June 1) when UFC 302 took place at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

UFC 302: Islam Makhachev Talks GOAT Aspirations, Dispels Staph Infection Rumors

The main event was a lightweight title fight between defending champion Islam Makhachev and former interim titleholder Dustin Poirier. This was the third time “The Diamond” had attempted to claim undisputed UFC gold, and although Poirier gave the champion all he could handle Makhachev ultimately locked up a D'arce choke to end things in the final round.

MAKHACHEV vs POIRIER! #UFC302 is LIVE SATURDAY on @ESPNPlus PPV! pic.twitter.com/GJE5UhHxlP

The night’s co-main event was a huge middleweight bout featuring Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa. Strickland was looking to get back into the win column after he lost the division’s title to Dricus Du Plessis, and while one judge scored the fight in favor of Costa the former champion walked away from UFC 302 with a split-decision victory.

STRICKLAND vs COSTA is LIVE SATURDAY on @ESPNPlus PPV! #UFC302 pic.twitter.com/5RmQ2Dlasp

The rest of the main card included decision wins from Niko Price and Randy Brown, plus Kevin Holland snapped a two-fight skid when he submitted Michał Oleksiejczuk in the opening round of their middleweight bout. The prelims saw Roman Kopylov hand César Almeida the first loss of his MMA career, and Jailton Almeida also rebounded from his first UFC loss when he submitted fellow top-ranked heavyweight Alexandr Romanov.

UFC 302: Conor McGregor Cooks Dustin Poirier, Islam Makhachev in All-Time Rant

You can find all the highlights from UFC 302 below, followed by full results from every matchup on the 12-fight card.

Jailton Almeida def. Alexandr Romanov

JAILTON ALMEIDA FORCES THE TAP IN ROUND 1 #UFC302 pic.twitter.com/lQU4xyeMc4

Kevin Holland def. Michał Oleksiejczuk

KEVIN HOLLAND WITH THE ARMBAR IN ROUND 1 #UFC302 pic.twitter.com/sZpB0iM5vx

Main Event: Islam Makhachev def. Dustin Poirier via Submission (D'Arce Choke): R5, 2:42– For the UFC Lightweight Championship

Co-Main Event: Sean Strickland def. Paulo Costa via Split Decision (49-46, 50-45, 46-49)

• Kevin Holland def. Michał Oleksiejczuk via Technical Submission (Armbar) : R1, 1:34

• Niko Price def. Alex Morono via Unanimous Decision (29-28x3)

• Randy Brown def. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos via Unanimous Decision (29-28x3)

• Roman Kopylov def. César Almeida via Split Decision (29-28, 30-27, 28-29)

• Jailton Almeida def. Alexandr Romanov via Submission (Rear Naked Choke): R1, 2:27

• Grant Dawson def. Joe Solecki via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27x2)

• Jake Matthews def. Phil Rowe via Unaminous Decision (29-28x2, 30-27)

• Bassil Hafez def. Mickey Gall via Unanimus Decision (30-27x2, 29-28)

• Ailin Perez def. Joselyne Edwards via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28x2)

• André Lima def. Mitch Raposo via Split Decision (30-27x2, 28-29)

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UFC 302: Ex-Champ Sean Strickland Torches New Gloves - 'They Absolutely Suck'

DREW BEAUPRE

Drew is an MMA writer that regularly watches regional events in addition to major promotions such as the UFC, PFL, Bellator, and ONE Championship. He joined MMA Knockout when it was founded in 2023.

This article first appeared on MMA on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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